Writer Guide

The next step is to create a table. Again, this is covered in more detail
in Chapter 8 (Getting Started with Base) in the Getting Started guide.
Here we are going to create a small table as an example.
1) Choose Tables in the left-hand column, then choose Create
Table in Design View under Tasks.
2) Use the Table Design window to tell Base which fields to create.
We will have just three fields: Name, Address, and Telephone.
Figure 412: Database table design
3) On the first line, enter under Field Name ID and set the Field
Type to Integer [INTEGER]. In the gray box at the left of the line,
right-click and select Primary Key, bringing up a key icon in the
box. In the Field Properties at the bottom of the window is an
Auto Value option; change this to Yes.
Tip
Setting up the Primary Key field with Auto Value set to Yes is
an important step. If this is not done, the form you create later
will be much trickier to use and may generate errors for the
user. Make sure you get this step right!
4) On three lines, enter under Field Name Name, Address and
Telephone. Accept the default Field Type of Text [VARCHAR] and
leave Description blank.
5) Save the table (File > Save). You will be prompted to name it.
The name can be anything you like.
6) Finally, save the whole database from the main Base window
(File > Save).
492 OpenOffice.org 3.x Writer Guide
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